Rafa Benitez has revealed he turned down other offers to take the job at Newcastle United.

The Spaniard showed his class and consideration by refusing to sit down with the Magpies until they’d made a decision on Steve McClaren.

Benitez admits that even his wife Montse wondered if he was sure that he wanted to take on the almighty task of attempting to wake up one of football’s sleeping giants in United. But he says he was enticed by the challenge on offer at Newcastle.

He is confident he can make it to the other side with the Magpies and feels that there could be brighter days ahead if the club can secure Premier League status.

Now, though, with spring in the air on Tyneside, Benitez feels there CAN be a brighter future for Newcastle, he told the Chronicle: “The job was available and I spoke with my wife. She wants me to stay in England because I’ve had two and half years away.

“She said to me to think carefully because it’s a difficult position, and it will be taking a risk.

“People said to me you have won a lot of trophies and it’s a time to enjoy your football and time with our family.

“But we might have 10 games where we suffer a little bit – and then hopefully we can enjoy three years.”

Benitez has gone from Madrid to Newcastle in just a few weeks.

The tapas bars and cafes of the Spanish capital may be a distant memory but Benitez and his family love life in England. While he managed Napoli then Real Madrid, they stayed in England in their Wirral home.

Benitez said: “I was thinking about my wife and I have two children. They don’t say too much, but when you have been away two and a half years you think of them.

“I have had offers from different countries. I had two ideas.

“One was to wait until the end of the season and see what happens.

“The other was to take this challenge and if I take the risk now it could be three to five fantastic years.”